The Firehouse Light by Janet Nolan, illustrated by Marie Lafrance

This is the story of the 100-year-old centennial bulb in Livermore, California.  The bulb was originally put into a wooden shack that contained fire fighting equipment for the city.  The bulb was moved from the shack to the firehouse and was never turned off.  It shined while horses were readied.  The lightbulb shined as cars replaced horses.  It shined as fire engines got bigger and better.  It shined as volunteers were replaced by paid fire fighters.  It shined on and on.  When a new firehouse was built in 1976, the bulb stopped shining as it was moved to the new firehouse.  There was a lot of tension about whether the bulb would light again after the move, but it lit and continues to shine. 

Nolan has structured the book in a winning way that allows young readers to understand the passing of time in tangible ways.  They will see the horses at first, then the cars, the record players and then the televisions.  Her prose appears lengthy on the page, but reads aloud readily.  The use of repetition to start each new decade helps reinforce that time is passing in decades.  Lafrance’s illustrations have a timeless feel to them that will take readers back to vintage picture books.  The style works well here with the emphasis on history and the amazing longevity of a small bulb.

A nonfiction picture book that celebrates history and a small, lovely accomplishment.  This book will work well in a unit on community helpers, offering a unique perspective on the history of firefighting.  Appropriate for ages 5-7.

Reviewed from library copy.